B--Comparative Study of Thermodynamic Based Life Cycle Assessment of Nano-materials with Conventional Technologies and their use for Green Chemistry Application (OSU)

In accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and FAR Part 12 Commercial Items, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio to purchase services to conduct a comparative study of thermodynamic based life cycle assessment of nano-materials with conventional technologies and their use for green chemistry application for the Office of Research and Development/National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) Cincinnati Ohio. EPA will conduct a study to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with product and process associated with the making, use and recycle or disposal of nano-materials. The study will analyze the environmental impact which includes energy consumed, material used and wastes released to the environment. The study will look at the overall environmental impacts or ecological foot-print of nano-materials during their using standardized methods of life cycle assessment tools. The environmental impact includes energy consumed, material used and wastes released to the environment. The study will assess potential risks and environmental impacts of nano-products and materials. The study will address the need for protocols and practical methodologies for toxicology studies, fate and transport studies and scaling approaches. The study will use the standard frame work established by the International Organization for Standards (ISO- 14040:2006) to assess environmental impacts of selected nano-products at all stages of their life cycle. EPA will conduct a Life cycle analysis on the application of nanotechnologies to ensure the potential advantages of savings in resource consumption during the manufacturing and use of nano-products and to ensure the recyclability and overall sustainability of manufactured nano-materials. MINIMUM GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS: The contractor shall have the facility and expertise for conducting a comparative study of thermodynamic based life cycle assessment of nano-materials with conventional technologies and their use for green chemistry applications. The contractor shall have the facility and expertise to conduct a comparative study of Natural Materials with Engineered Nano-Particles. The contractor shall have knowledge and experience in using generally tools and standardized methods, The contractor shall have knowledge and experience in the use of thermodynamics in connecting life cycle inputs with life cycle analysis impacts. The contractor shall have experience on multidisciplinary projects in the areas of system and industrial ecology, statistics, signal processing, and bioinformatics The contractor shall have experience in the use of hybrid life cycle analysis that includes information of economy scale. The contractor shall have experience and knowledge of thermodynamic life cycle analysis, which could also include information about the contribution of ecological system. B. KEY FEATURES: The contract should have adequate knowledge and experience in life cycle assessment of emerging chemical technologies, including full understanding and expertise in the use of thermodynamic and statistical approaches to improve the quality of life cycle inventory data. Experience in developing a comprehensive life cycle inventory and assessment to for comparing processes is critical. The contractor should be working no less than 10 years on related national projects and should have track records of expertise primarily demonstrated as published books and peer reviewed scientific journals. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 541711, size standard of 500. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT is not a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation document is available. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability of meeting EPA requirements by submitting technical documentation to William M. Yates, Contracting Officer, at the office identified above, by fax +1 (555) 000-0000 or by e-mail contact@example.gov. The technical documentation must establish that the instrument to be provided meets all requirements. Anticipated award date is September 15, 2008. Documentation must be submitted to William M Yates by 3:00 PM, August 22, 2008 in order to be considered by EPA. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. Point of Contact for this requirement is William M Yates, Contracting Officer, at +1 (555) 000-0000, or via e-mail at contact@example.gov. Questions must be submitted in writing to William M Yates via Fax +1 (555) 000-0000 or via e-mail. Telephone queries will not be honored.